Robert DePratu, 74, of Whitefish

Robert “Bob” Lloyd DePratu, 74, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born on July 21, 1939, in Eureka to Lloyd Arthur and Helen Effie (Nellis) DePratu.

Bob earned his early education in Rexford and Eureka, graduating from Lincoln County High School in 1957. As a youngster he learned the value of hard work.While in school he delivered groceries, ran a hay crew and worked for Valcor Logging. He then attended Kinman Business University and graduated in 1959 with an associate degree in accounting.

After graduation, Bob worked for Rygg Ford selling cars in Whitefish. Bob married Beatrice “Bea” Ann Rogers in Eureka in 1959 and together raised three children. In 1964, he purchased DePratu Ford and in 1984 added VW and Audi. Bob continued operating it with his family until his death.

Bob had a full civic and business life as well as a political career.

His businesses included the View Mount Motel, Budget Rent A Car, Clean Kars, Inc., and Triple B Enterprises (a real estate Holding Co.).

In 1996, Bob was elected to the Montana State Senate and was later appointed to the chairmanship of the Jobs and Income Select Committee. He was re-elected in 2000 and served on the Committee of Public Health and Welfare, Highway Transportation and the Safety and Taxation Committees.

Bob was a member of the Ford Motor Co. National Dealer Council and was appointed to the Ford Motor Co. Consumer Resolution Board. He was a Whitefish Hospital Board Member and in 1968 began volunteering with the Whitefish Volunteer Fire Department where he served 20 years on the Whitefish Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance. During this time he spent five years on the board, two years as president and two years as fire chief.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Yvonne Mae DePratu; and a grandson, Ryan Robert DePratu.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bea DePratu; two sons, Bret (LeeZann) DePratu of Vaughn and Bart DePratu of Whitefish; and a daughter, Brenda (Sidney) Chapman of Columbia Falls; a sister, Delila Webster of Gardendale, Ala.; six grandchildren, Alison (Justin) Brandt, Christopher and  Tyler DePratu, Shasta (Shane) Dean, Carson DePratu and Amanda Chapman; four great-grandchildren with a fifth due in July; a 95-year old aunt, Erma Nellis Stinson; an 89-year- old uncle, Cecil DePratu; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral for Bob will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at the Emergency Services Center (Whitefish Fire Hall) at 725 Flathead Ave. in Whitefish with Bishop Joel Stephenson officiating.

Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be at Austin Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to Shepherd’s Hand, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, Mont., 59937 or North Valley Food Bank, 251 Flathead Ave., Whitefish, Mont., 59937.

Persons may go to www.austinfh.com to view Bob’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.